Prince Harry will apparently be "nowhere near" the Buckingham Palace balcony on coronation day

After months of speculation about whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would attend King Charles III's coronation, earlier this week Buckingham Palace revealed all. In a statement, the Palace confirmed that the Duke of Sussex will be in attendance at the historic event – although his wife will stay at home in California with their two children.

But, as soon as one royal question was answered, many more sprung up in its place, and we're now wondering what Harry's role at the coronation might be (if he even has one at all) as well as whether he'll make an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

As is tradition with major royal events such as this one – and the likes of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding – the family will return to Buckingham Palace after the coronation service at Westminster Abbey and make an appearance on the famous balcony. According to a royal expert, however, Harry won't be there.

"[Harry] won’t be anywhere near the balcony," royal expert Tessa Dunlop told OK!, going on to reference his decision to step down as a senior working royal. "If you have Harry [on the balcony] then they would have to have everyone else."

Key members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year.

As for who will be on the balcony, Dunlop predicts that King Charles and Queen Camilla will welcome "the working royals and the key royals" to join them. This, per Dunlop, is expected to include the Prince and Princess of Wales (and their three children) as well as the newly-appointed Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Sophie Wessex, and Princess Anne. "She’ll have quite a big role and be upfront," claims the expert.

"But I don't think you'll have too many people because I think the whole point is about this slimmed down family," she added. "It will be just the working royals certainly."

"Anyone who doesn't get on the balcony, they'll get in the throne room for a photo," she went on.

Sounds like it might be one hell of an awkward photo op...

Head here for everything you need to know about King Charles III's coronation.

Jade Biggs

Freelance Writer

Jade Biggs (she/her) is one of Cosmopolitan UK's freelance writers, working across all sections including entertainment, beauty, body, and sex and relationships. She previously held the position of Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and the latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. Jade has a degree in journalism and has been a journalist and content editor for ten years, interviewing leading researchers, high-profile influencers, and industry experts in that time. She is a cat mom to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.